TORCH - IAN GREG

#interview

IAN GREG - TORCH (https://www.facebook.com/torchrocknroll/)

💿 Hi, it’s a pleasure for us to have on Hardrockheavymetal IAN GREG of TORCH! Welcome!!

Thank you! It’s my pleasure!

💿 On Sept 25th was out your new album, well-received on our pages, entitled REIGNITED (https://www.hardrockheavymetal.info/post/torch-reignited?fbclid=IwAR0QErtAVpbVf2fecZjXylfAxqiJIbgR_jYnpg6AqxM8mq9rFvE413Syggk)

Can you tell us somethin'about its composition process and style?

We’ve been working on this record for quite a while. Some of the songs were written back in 2014, while others were written during the recording.

Most of the songs starts with me coming up with a riff and an idea for a song.

I show it to the other guys, and if they like it they start adding their ideas and it becomes a Torch song. For two of the songs Steve Streaker came up with the basic ideas.

Once we have the music in place I write the lyrics.

💿 In your early times as musicians which artists influenced you the most? Can you tell us somethin’ about the birth of the band?

Some of our early influences are probably obvious. We all loved Judas Priest, Accept, Saxon, Ozzy and early Iron Maiden.

But we also liked bands that were probably more Hard Rock than Metal, bands like Riot, Y&T and Van Halen.

I was and still am a big Aerosmith fan. That’s why there’s always a slight Rock N Roll feel to our songs.

Steve, Chris and Claus played in a band called Black Widow. When their bassplayer/singer decided to join another band they approached me. We then went searching for a singer. We found a singer named Stefan Wedlund.

He only lasted two gigs, since all our smoke and pyrotechnics destroyed his voice. Steve suggested Dan Dark, who he had played with in another band.

Once Dan was on board we were really ready to rock.

💿 How is difficult promote a new work after the lockdown drama? Do you believe can you return soon on stage?

It’s extremely frustrating that we cannot play gigs to promote our new album, but you simply have to accept the situation. We will be doing a livestream on Oct 9th (www.liveandstream.se/torch) to host some kind of release party for our fans.

After that we will probably make some more videos. We also have some live material from our Sweden Rock gig that were considering mixing and releasing. And we’ve already started working on the next album, so hopefully it won’t take another 36 years to get it out. It’s very hard to say when we’ll be able to do proper gigs. I guess it’s depending how successful the vaccines they’re working on are.

💿 Here at HARDROCKHEAVYMETAL we are strong defender of classic format..love for vintage or isn't there a future outside digital?

I think there’s a place for both vintage and digital. We’ve been overwhelmed with the demand for the vinyl version of our record.

I can understand that. There’s a certain sound and feel to listening to a vinyl record and holding the cover in your hands.

Streaming cannot replace that. On the other hand streaming is perfect when you’re in your car, or if you just want to check out a new band.

💿 Your new album will be out on METALVILLE RECORDS. Can you tell us somethin about the partnership with them?

When the record was ready, we started approaching different record labels. We had a number of offers, but decided to go with Metalville.

Part of the reason was that they explained that they wanted to be a traditional record label. That they focused on physical sales and not only digital streaming.

That was perfect for us. So far we’re very happy with the work they’ve done.

💿 Can you tell us somethin about the great cover of new album?

The cover painting was created by Thomas Holm. We always wanted a real painting instead of something digital. There’s simply more life in a painting. We started looking at covers we liked and everybody agreed that “Don’t Break The Oath” by Mercyful Fate had a great cover. We found out that Thomas had created it. We tracked him down, and he happily agreed to work with us. We’re very happy with the end result. It’s a classic Heavy Metal cover.

💿 Thank you so much for your time! See you soon on Hardrockheavymetal, hoping to see you also on the stage as soon as possible.

Thank you! As soon as the pandemic is under control, we’ll be coming to a stage near you! Feed The Flame!